Mikel Arteta is keen on adding a midfielder to the first team before the summer window closes in two weeks, per reports. The Arsenal first team manager – promoted recently from his Head Coach role when he joined in December – has been on the heels of Atletico’s Thomas Partey and Lyon’s Houssem Aouar, hoping to land one this summer.
The Gunners have started the season well, beating Fulham 3-0 away and West Ham at home 2-1, off the back of their Community Shield win over Premier League champs Liverpool.
With Emiliano Martinez joining Aston Villa, the club’s finances received at least 20 million pounds boost. Just a million of that has been used to procure a backup for Bernd Leno in Runar Alex Runarsson from Dijon. Martinez had pushed for more first team action and a bigger deal, but Arsenal’s financial situation could not support it. The Villa move was just convenient for the 28-year old Argentine after stepping up brilliantly when Leno was sideline.
Arsenal are still hoping to land David Raya as their ideal second choice keeper but Brentford are relunctant to sell. Third choice keeper Matt Macey is rumoured to be planning an exit as well so the goalkeeping department is not settled yet despite all seeling well few weeks back.
Arteta understands the club would have to sell their lower ranked players to fund new deals. The club has not made much progress in recent weeks regarding the sale of French youngster Matteo Guendouzi. Arsenal reportedly wanted to offer Guendouzi as part of the deal for Aouar but Lyon rejected it, prefering 60 million euros in cash.
Paris St Germain have shown interest in Guendouzi but they are yet to make a solid offer the 21-year old who has now told Arsenal he wants to leave. There were reports of a swap deal for Julian Draxler but the links have quickly died down.
Now, there are reports that Lucas Torreira is the current interest of Atletico but it is unknown if a player plus cash deal would work regarding Partey. Arsenal have received loan offers for Torreira but they prefer a direct sale so they can raise cash. Some of the loan offers have mandatory purchase clauses so they may explore that route. The club’s priority is an immediate straightforward deal rather than staggered payments even if a suitor comes.
All in all, Arteta prefers Torreira and Guendouzi gone with Partey or Aouar coming in, as they set their sights on Top Four finish this term.